The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has temporarily suspended the processing of Section 214 applications because of a federal funding lapse. This pause affects both discontinuance and transfer of control filings from several telecommunications companies.
What Is a Section 214 Application?
Under Section 214 of the Communications Act and 47 CFR § 63.71, telecom carriers must get FCC approval before they discontinue or transfer their services. This requirement protects consumers and ensures that service transitions, such as mergers, acquisitions, or technology upgrades, happen without communication disruptions.
Why the Delay Happened
On October 1, 2025, the FCC issued Public Notice DA 25-925 titled “Notice Regarding Status of Pending Section 214 Applications Due to Lapse in Funding.” Because of the government-wide funding lapse, the Wireline Competition Bureau announced two key actions. First, the FCC will not automatically grant any Section 214 applications during the funding lapse. Second, the filing deadlines for public comments will move to the first business day after the FCC resumes operations.
As a result, telecom companies must wait for confirmation before moving forward with their planned changes.
Companies and Dockets Affected
Several Section 214 applications are now on hold. They include:
- AT&T Services, Inc. – WC Docket Nos. 25-254, 25-264
- GCI Communication Corp. – WC Docket No. 25-265
- Seiontec Systems, LLC – WC Docket No. 25-281
- Consolidated Communications – WC Docket Nos. 25-282 to 25-286
- BT Federal Inc. (Transfer to 22nd Century Technologies, Inc.) – WC Docket No. 25-251
These companies were originally expected to receive decisions between September 19 and October 3, 2025. However, those timelines have been delayed. The FCC will announce new comment deadlines once operations resume.
What Happens After Operations Resume
When the government restarts normal operations, the Wireline Competition Bureau plans to release a new Public Notice. That announcement will specify when each Section 214 application will be approved unless additional review becomes necessary.
For more details, contact the FCC’s Competition Policy Division:
- Rodney McDonald: (202) 418-7513
- Randall Sifers: (202) 418-2325
Why It Matters for Carriers and Consumers
This delay creates uncertainty for telecom providers that are planning technology transitions or network upgrades. Carriers must wait for official FCC clearance before they can discontinue or modify their services. Meanwhile, consumers benefit from this delay because it prevents unexpected service interruptions. Therefore, even during a government shutdown, regulatory oversight continues to protect users and maintain communication stability.
Each of these efforts aims to speed up broadband rollout while reducing costs for carriers and communities. Find out how your business will be impacted and exactly which of your sites will be affected by decommissioning copper as a result of ongoing FCC forbearance orders.